Executives across the television industry today welcomed Peter Fincham's appointment as BBC1 controller, describing the selection as "inspired" and a "dream move".

The former Talkback Thames chief's "phenomenal" track record in nurturing talent and producing everything from soaps to "groundbreaking" public service television were just a few of the qualities that made his "surprise" appointment such a good move for BBC1, executives said.

Alex Graham, chief executive of Wall to Wall, the company behind hit BBC series Who Do You think You Are? said Fincham's appointment showed that the BBC was now willing to look outside itself.

"What's great is that he's a passionate and original programme-maker who's got a fantastic reputation for nurturing and looking after talent which is often a neglected part of the BBC1 controller's job.

"There's a slight tendency in the modern and mechanistic world of broadcasting to think all controllers do is sit around with their schedulers and decide whether something should go out at 9pm on a Monday or 7pm on a Thursday, but being a figurehead for talent and knowing how to make that talent feel good is equally important."

Mr Graham echoed the sentiments of many others in saying that the fact Mr Fincham had never worked for a broadcaster and had no experience of news would not hold him back.

"I think it's a bold appointment. Peter doesn't have a background in broadcasting or the black arts of scheduling, but as a programme-maker that's no bad thing," Mr Graham, said.

"It didn't hold [former BBC2 controller] Jane Root back and [former director general] Greg Dyke hadn't worked at the BBC before he joined, though he did crash and burn.

"No, it's a good thing. One of the BBC's greatest problems is its insularity. It has to open up and modernise and in the new broadcasting world make itself more porous.

"This is a good sign that the BBC is willing to look outside itself."

Many producers commented that Mr Fincham's appointment marked the first time the BBC had cast the net so broadly in its search for a new BBC1 controller.

"What's amazing is that this is the first time the BBC has looked so widely for a controller," said Tiger Aspect's managing director, Andy Zein

"While he's never worked for a broadcaster, that won't hold him back. He'll go in thinking what he wants to do and take a fresh pair of eyes to the way the system works, which is why his appointment is such a good thing.

John McVay, chair of the independent producers body Pact, also welcomed the appointment.

"It's a really inspired appointment and a brilliant move. It marks the first time that somebody from the independent sector has been appointed as controller of BBC1.

"The thing that marks Peter out is his commitment to really strong creative ideas. He'll want to take the best ideas from wherever he can, whether that's from the independent sector, in house or from his old company."

Peter Bazalgette, the chairman of Endemol UK, which produces Big Brother and Fame Academy, also welcomed Mr Fincham's appointment with the caveat that the corporation's charter renewal process allowed BBC1 to remain a broad entertainment channel.

"At different times in his career he has represented talent, produced comedy, drama and entertainment. This makes him a dream appointment if the swirling politics of charter renewal allow BBC1 to remain a generally broad entertainment channel," he said.

While Mr Fincham's appointment was met with acclaim outside the BBC, more than one executive said his selection posed further questions for the BBC's in-house producers.

"With independent production quotas on the up, then budgets being cut back and now a former independent producer as head of BBC1 they must think the barbarians are at the door, " said one chief executive who asked not to be named.